"I enjoyed doing the gag covers better than the story ones because they were usually simpler. A cover based on an incident in the plot took a great deal of staging to tell a little story that was still part of the book. And it had to make sense on its own"

Carl Barks, a prominent figure in comics artistry, is reflecting on his experiences with developing different kinds of comic book covers. In this declaration, he draws a contrast between "gag covers" and "story covers", explaining his preference for the previous due to their simplicity and versatility.

Gag covers, frequently amusing and standalone, are normally created to capture the viewer's attention through wit or a visual joke that can easily be comprehended with no context. Barks values these covers for their simple nature, as they need less elaborate planning and are not constrained by narrative requirements. This choice mean Barks' pleasure of imaginative flexibility and the art of visual storytelling unencumbered by complex narrative structures.

In contrast, story covers require more mindful structure, as they must encapsulate a scene or occasion from the comic's plot. These covers require a greater degree of detail and effort since they need to communicate a narrative aspect that lines up with the story while still interesting a potential reader on a visual level. Barks acknowledges the obstacle in making these covers "make sense on their own", suggesting that while they are inherently more connected to the book's material, they still require to be accessible and intriguing to somebody who may not yet recognize with the story.

Through this reflection, Barks highlights the art of balance in comics cover design. An effective cover, particularly one illustrating a story event, need to thoroughly bridge the gap between supplying sufficient context to make good sense individually while also being engaging enough to attract readers to explore the story even more. His insight reveals the nuanced skill involved in cover artistry, valuing both storytelling and visual effect as crucial parts of comic book art.